S-2878 • L4 Abeluna • D06 Sintosi
"Abeluna opens a path in newborn light. Sintosi attunes sky and way. The tide draws signs in living silver. The story moves forward, clear, on a gentle thread."
I could finally breathe after two full selunias.
We treated the patients.
Then, we prepared them to receive new stimuli from CogniSynth.
After checking on their condition, I headed to my office.
Takashi showed up right after.
"There's a message from Aydan Russell.
He asked you to contact him."
My eyes widened.
A warm surprise spread through my chest.
"Thank you."
My tone came out far too excited.
"That's it?"
Takashi nodded and left.
I opened my contacts.
It had been so long since we last saw each other.
When I found his name, buried in my list, I called.
It rang twice.
"Aydan speaking."
The familiar sound of his voice hit me all at once.
"Is someone there?"
"Y-yes."
I swallowed.
"It's me. Akiko."
A pause.
"Akiko?!"
A laugh followed.
"I thought you were going to ignore me, woman!"
His playful tone made me smile.
"I'm in São Paulo," he said, excitement lighting his voice.
"Busy today? We could meet and grab some coffee."
I checked my schedule.
Nothing.
Still early. The sun outside was shining bright.
"Sure. Where do you want to meet?"
"Wow…"
He laughed.
"I even forgot where the cafés are around here."
A pause.
"Does LeBraCafé still exist?"
"In Centrália?"
I scratched my forehead, smiling.
"Yeah, it does."
"Perfect.
Let's meet there."
LeBraCafé
I waited outside, sitting at one of the tables.
Aydan arrived soon after.
Unmistakable.
Even after so many cycles, he still radiated that aura—warm as the sun.
When he saw me, he smiled.
And as always, everything around him seemed to brighten.
It was easy to feel happy near him.
He approached, wrapped me in a tight hug, and kissed my cheek.
"Long time. I missed you!"
We sat down.
Aydan ordered cappuccino and a chocolate éclair.
I ordered black coffee and strawberry tart.
He laughed.
"Your taste hasn't changed at all."
Resting his chin on his hand, he looked at me.
"So… tell me. How are things?"
I sighed.
"So much has happened, I don't even know where to begin."
I wanted to tell him everything.
Aydan watched me closely, eyebrow raised, hand on his chin.
"You're different.
More radiant."
My breath hitched for a second.
"If I didn't know you, I'd say you're enjoying…"
He stopped.
My lips parted slightly.
My hands grew damp.
I shifted in my seat.
Was it that obvious?
"How?"
Aydan laughed.
"I can't believe it.
You're as transparent as water, my dear."
He leaned forward slightly.
"So… someone captured your heart?
Of all things, that was unexpected."
He burst out laughing.
"I thought you'd be my forever-alone friend!"
I scrunched my nose.
"Oh, come on."
"You know it's true!"
I rolled my eyes.
"Why are you here?"
Aydan ran a hand through his curly brown hair.
"I'll let that one slide, but you will tell me everything later."
He smiled.
"Well… Galeria D'lmeé invited me to exhibit my art."
My jaw dropped.
"That's amazing!"
He looked satisfied.
"The exhibition is this Saturday.
The entire gallery will feature my work."
He leaned in slightly.
"I really want you there."
"Obviously. Nothing in this world would make me miss it."
He tilted his head.
"Bring that special someone too.
I need to meet the one who stole your little heart."
He pointed at me with a teasing smile.
My expression faltered for half a second.
Would Maia even accept?
I hid the hesitation.
"Of course."
I set my fork down.
"By the way… how's Kilian?
Did he come too?"
If Aydan noticed my hesitation, he chose to ignore it.
Our orders arrived.
I picked up my cup.
"Of course.
We've been dying to come to São Paulo."
He took a sip of cappuccino.
"I've been doing exhibitions around the world.
Even though I'm only coming here now… I always think of you."
Aydan took my hand.
"I'm glad you're doing well."
I gently squeezed his fingers.
"I am too.
You've always been incredible.
You deserve all the happiness."
Memories passed through us.
Aydan had been the only one who wanted to truly know me back when I lived restricted.
I never cared much about friendships or loneliness.
My father always taught me:
Solitude was everything I needed to stay focused.
But Aydan… was different.
He was warm.
Talked nonstop.
Stayed close even when I showed little interest.
And before I realized it, I started longing for his presence.
He treated me like a real friend.
Valued my opinions about his art.
Wanted me around.
So when he returned to Canada…
a small emptiness formed in my chest.
We lost touch after I graduated and began my research.
But now he was here.
And it felt like we were just as close as before.
We talked until nightfall.
Until we finally said goodbye.
At Home
The invitation kept echoing in my mind.
I stared at the bioscreen.
Typed.
Deleted.
Typed again.
Deleted again.
She would definitely refuse.
I bit my lip, anxious.
What if…
I groaned, frustrated.
I had to stop being stupid.
Just send it already.
If she doesn't want to, she'll say no. Simple.
I took a deep breath.
I trusted what we had.
Trusted it enough to introduce her to my closest friend.
But… what if it changed everything?
I threw myself onto the bed.
What did this even mean for us?
If she refused, would that say something about what we are?
My fingers hovered over the send button.
Damn it, Akiko. Just send it.
I gathered my courage and hit send.
I buried my face in my hands.
Done.
Too late.
Or… could I delete it?
Panic crept in.
I opened the bioscreen, searching for the delete option.
Too late.
The notification hit—and my heart jumped.
My vision blurred. I squeezed my eyes shut.
She said no.
She had to.
Akiko, you're an adult. Act like one.
I opened the message:
📩 "Sure. Time and place?"
My eyes flew open.
Heat rushed to my face.
My body reacted instantly—a small scream slipped out.
Embarrassment followed right after.
Luckily, I was alone.
I sent the details.
Confirmed our presence to Aydan.
His reply came instantly:
📩 "YEEESS! :D Bring your special someone, alright?"
I smiled.
Relief. Happiness. Butterflies.
I closed my eyes.
Fell asleep smiling.
D'lmeé Gallery
I spent the afternoon reading.
Decided to step away from my usual and picked up fantasy.
I'd always kept my distance from worlds filled with magical creatures.
I stuck to sci-fi, dystopias, biographies.
But I'd read so much of those that they'd become predictable.
So I chose The Inventor's Chronicles, released in 2779.
The story of a scientist.
She discovered temporal lines connecting different dimensions.
Built a machine.
Entered a new world—inhabited by fantastical beings.
Creatures that, according to the story, had lived in Gaia millennia ago.
The book followed her journey through that parallel universe.
I got so immersed, time slipped away.
When I realized it, it was already time to go.
I got ready.
Headed to D'lmeé Gallery, in Centrália—the most prestigious in São Paulo, one of the largest in the world.
Curators across the globe fought for invitations to exhibit artists there.
Almost impossible to get in.
The selection criteria? A mystery.
For Aydan to be invited—it was a milestone.
A massive line stretched outside.
He texted me:
📩 "Let me know when you arrive. Y'know… skipping the line ;)"
I looked around.
Searching for Maia.
Maybe she's—
"Looking for me?"
I flinched.
Her voice—so close to my ear.
I turned.
She was smiling, pleased.
"Your friend must be amazing."
Maia stopped beside me.
"He is."
I texted Aydan.
A reception android approached:
"Akiyama? You may enter."
We stepped inside.
A dim lilac light illuminated a dark corridor.
Shimmering neon-magenta papers fell from the ceiling.
So many they piled across the floor.
Another step.
The space unfolded into a labyrinth.
Aydan's works everywhere.
Floor. Ceiling. Pillars.
A soft blue tone filled the air.
At the entrance—a crowded bar.
The scent of digital ink and aged paper lingered.
Aydan spotted us.
Champagne glass in hand.
Our hug was tight.
He lingered just a bit too long looking at Maia.
She held his gaze—unshaken, magnetic.
He raised an eyebrow.
"My dear… how unfair."
He smiled, charming.
"You brought a masterpiece. Who's going to pay attention to the art now?"
"Nice to meet you. I'm Aydan. And you are…?"
"Maia. Pleasure."
They shook hands.
His eyes lit up.
"Maia… I know that name."
He took a sip.
"The eldest Pleiad. Known for her rare beauty… and a solitary life."
Another sip.
"The Romans saw her as the Goddess of Spring."
Maia smiled softly.
"I was born in spring."
Aydan's smile widened.
"I love when reality and fantasy blur."
Blaze Club
Aydan approached us at the end of the exhibition.
"Let's hit a club.
Come on? We leave tomorrow.
We want to make the most of it."
"So soon?" I asked.
He nodded, a hint of sadness in his expression.
Maia agreed with a small nod.
"Let's go."
We headed to a famous club in Centrália—Blaze Club.
Aydan got us VIP access.
We skipped a massive line that wrapped around the corner.
The place was packed.
Ozone and ionized metal from holoprojections filled the air.
Nanosound systems pulsed with nanofrequencies, blasting pop music.
Electric blue, luminous violet, and burning red streaked across my vision.
Synthetic pheromones enhanced connections, intensifying emotions.
I could almost feel the synesthesia on my skin.
We grabbed drinks at the first bar.
Maia ordered an IcyNova.
I went for gin and tonic.
"How do you drink that straight?!" Kilian shouted over the music.
Maia just smiled.
"LET'S HAVE FUN!!!" Aydan raised his glass between us.
"The night's just getting started!"
We moved to the dance floor and danced for hours.
At some point, Aydan came closer.
"A little gift."
He winked and dropped Lamide into my hand.
Two colorful pills.
Then he went back to dancing with Kilian.
Maia leaned in and whispered in my ear:
"Hey… if you don't want to, it's okay."
I lifted my head, slightly lost in her attentive gaze.
"You're with me.
I can feel safe, right?"
Maia nodded.
We each took one.
The effect came slowly.
The atmosphere around us began to shift.
The music carried me gently.
I vibrated with every beat.
Everything glowed with a luminous haze—like a fantasy world.
Neon condensed.
Electricity in the air.
Maia's presence—her beauty, her features, her woodsy scent—intensified everything.
She pulled me into her arms, fingers brushing the back of my neck.
A soft melody played.
A feminine voice sang, hypnotic, ethereal:
Would you follow me even if you were blind? In the darkness of night, with nothing to guide you In silence, with no one to help you Would you let me show you the path to love? ♪
The lyrics resonated in my chest—
as if they had been written for that exact moment.
For us.
Maia held me with that seductive gaze.
I sank deeper into her.
She completely took over me.
Pulled me closer.
Kissed me.
A kiss that fused our destinies.
That held eternity inside a single instant.
I pressed myself against her body, wrapping my arms around her waist.
She rested her forehead against mine.
Eyes closed.
"Let me be part of your world," I whispered.
Maia smiled softly.
Her hand brushed my cheek.
"You already are."
She kissed me again.
Slowly.
My heart raced.
Something inside me burned.
With feeling right at the surface, I kissed her with intensity—sharing the stars dancing in my mouth, in my soul.
Everything inside me overflowed.
Cosmic overflow.
An entire universe of surrender dissolving between us.
Every sensation, every perception, every invisible vibration poured out.
Maia met me with the same intensity.
The sound around us disappeared.
No music. No neon. No crowd.
Just me.
Just her.
Just us.
We pulled apart, breathless.
Unaware of everything around us.
I let out a soft, euphoric laugh.
She did too.
We stayed wrapped in each other for a long moment.
Then we went back to dancing.
Some time later
After too many drinks, under Lamide's effect, my stomach twisted.
I felt like I was going to throw up.
Why did this always happen?
Maia sat me down on a couch.
Aydan and Kilian joined us.
"What's wrong with her?" Kilian asked, clearly tipsy but still alert.
"She's not feeling well," Maia said, stroking my back.
"I think we should—"
I threw up everything onto the floor.
"Yeah… you should probably go," Kilian muttered.
He helped me stand.
"She's still the same as ever," Aydan said with a drunken smile.
They helped us push through the crowd toward the exit.
"You'll be okay?" Aydan asked, concern in his voice.
Maia wrapped an arm around my waist.
"Yes."
"Here's my number. If anything happens, please let me know."
I was still conscious, even with my blurred vision.
The problem was—
The nausea.
The pain in my stomach.
"I'm gonna—"
Maia pulled me to the edge of the sidewalk.
I threw up again.
She held my hair back.
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, too far gone to feel embarrassed.
"Sorr—sorry… I'm really bad with… this stuff…"
I threw up again.
My head spun.
"Sorry…"
My voice came out weak.
Maia brushed my hair back, keeping my face away from the mess.
"There's nothing to apologize for."
We started walking again.
She was so patient.
So attentive the entire way.
Fantastical Dreams Club
We arrived.
Two half-naked women greeted us.
My heightened senses were overwhelming.
Colored lights stabbed at my eyes.
And the music—deafening.
In the elevator, it was hard not to stare at one woman's exposed chest.
Maia pinched the bridge of her nose.
She smiled, amused.
"Sorrryyy… can't help it…" I slurred.
Maia gently guided me out.
"Have a wonderful night," the woman said.
I waved clumsily.
Maia laid me down on the bed.
Why was it so hot?
I struggled to take off my cardigan and tossed it aside.
"Y-you gonna leave me?
G-go away like last time?"
Suddenly, Maia was on top of me.
Her gaze traced over me, slow, hungry.
She held my wrists.
Bit her lip.
"How could I?"
Her voice dropped.
"So defenseless…
So vulnerable."
She breathed against my ear.
Lightly bit it.
A shiver ran through me.
A soft sound escaped my lips.
My awareness sharpened.
The heat came from inside out.
Any control I had—gone.
I tried to hold her gaze, but it broke me completely.
Maia lowered her head.
Exhaled.
Then sat back in the chair.
"This is so unfair," she said, frustration thick in her voice.
My heart was racing.
Thoughts slipping through my fingers.
I buried my burning face in the pillow.
Maia rested her elbow on the armrest, fingers brushing her lips.
Watching me.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Unfair… was what she was doing.
She let out a quiet laugh, catching my embarrassment.
"Whyy…" I mumbled into the pillow.
All I got in return was a low, amused laugh.
I gathered what little courage I had left and tried to look at her.
Failed.
Let out a small frustrated sound.
Silence wrapped around us.
Thick. Tense.
Damn it.
Why was my tolerance for this stuff so pathetic?
This stupid biochip was useless at regulating anything.
I calmed down.
Sleep started creeping in.
The bed softened under me.
The weight of the day finally dissolving.
I was about to drift off when—
"Y-you won't… lie down with me?"
"It's better not to."
Her voice—low, rough—sent a shiver through me.
"Why?"
I pouted.
Maia sighed.
"Because I wouldn't be able to control myself… being that close to you."
A muffled gasp escaped me.
The fire she'd lit inside me burned wild.
I turned away.
"Why do you do this?"
She answered with a soft, breathy laugh.
"Maia…"
My voice came out barely above a whisper.
She looked at me.
"D-don't… go…"
She didn't answer.
But before sleep took me—
I felt her breath close to me.
And then I was gone.
The next morning
My head throbbed.
Soft light filtered through the curtains.
Warm breath against my ear reminded me where I was—and who I was with.
Maia's arms wrapped around me.
Our fingers intertwined.
Her body warm.
Safe.
I curled closer.
Her scent—woodsy, deeper now.
A quiet murmur.
"Hey."
I let out a soft laugh.
Maia scrunched her nose, eyes still closed.
"Couldn't resist."
Her voice thick with sleep.
"You looked so good—"
She stopped.
Her eyes opened.
A faint blush touched her cheeks.
"I mean… you looked so peaceful sleeping."
Silence settled between us.
Soft. Comfortable.
I didn't want to move.
I turned toward her, nestling closer.
Her lips brushed gently against my forehead.
I smiled.
We stayed like that—
just enjoying each other's presence—
until…